CAPACITOR Question?

[honda83]

i already have a cap in my car but i want to put in two just to be safe on my power. am runing 2amps and a crossover and just like i said want to be safe. the cap i got in is a 1Farad so am looking for something better. i was wondering what is a good name brand for caps? or it doesnt matter a cap is a cap?

also. is it good that i run two caps?

let me know people!!

Thanks alot

[92CordDX]

Not to jack a thread, but i have a very similar question.


i have a 680w ensen amp pushing a 12" sony xplod sub, whats ize cap should i get?

[sonikaccord]

caps dont do any thing, but put more strain on the alternator.

[honda83]

umm is that right? can anyone say the same or have a different option? i would think if u had two amps runing and have the bass hiting all the time that ur alternator would go even faster? or even ur battery. i dont know. i think i need more options on this one.

[SoySauceCb7]

caps dont do any thing, but put more strain on the alternator.

Uhhh wrong. A capacitor is a neccesary part of a performance sound system. From what you guys are saying your systems put out you should be more than safe with a 1 farad capacitor. Brand does matter as some brands use inferior metals and there response times make the cap almost useless. You also want to make sure you have a capacitor with the proper voltage surge. For a basic setup a 24 volt surge is all you need. So just enjoy your systems with the 1 farad capacitor, your not going to need a 2 farad. Peace

[papychulo82]

i thought caps helped your cars electrical system?? doesn't a cap store energy so when the bass hits it doesn't put such a strain on your car?

[uslspct]

i thought caps helped your cars electrical system?? doesn't a cap store energy so when the bass hits it doesn't put such a strain on your car?

Yeah it does. But it only works for a little burst. Not some constant crazy bass. Instead of wasting money on a cap, which you won't notice the difference, why not spend the money on a better alternator that will enable you to expand your system in the future.
Honda83, how much WRMS do your 2 amps put out?

[sonikaccord]

Yes a cap does store energy and when the bass hits, that energy goes to the amp and has to be "refilled" by the alt. If the alt. is already struggling to power the amp by its self, then a cap is only going to make it worse.
No caps are not "necessary" for a performance sound system. Why do you figure that?

[honda83]

my voice amp is 200watts and my rockford is 1000. and i got a 1farad now. but i just wanted to add two caps. like i said just to be safe. i wanted to get like a 2farad one to add to it

[sonikaccord]

the general rule is 1 farad per 1000 watts so you should be good for now.
If you see your lights dimming though, you might want to get a ho alt.

[TypeG]

i push right at 1000w and don't have a cap. haven't had a problem and i have been running that much for at least 7 years. later.

[mondojackal]

Uhhh wrong. A capacitor is a neccesary part of a performance sound system. From what you guys are saying your systems put out you should be more than safe with a 1 farad capacitor. Brand does matter as some brands use inferior metals and there response times make the cap almost useless. You also want to make sure you have a capacitor with the proper voltage surge. For a basic setup a 24 volt surge is all you need. So just enjoy your systems with the 1 farad capacitor, your not going to need a 2 farad. Peace

uh, you're wrong...caps aren't necessary at all...just like camber kits...there are plenty of rock-solid ways around caps that make them completely unnecessary..

but on to the kid's question...you "need" (ha, the irony) 1 farad of capacitance for about every 1000wRMS that you are running..so i'd need about a farad and a half..you can prolly just stay as you are, and you don't even need a cap most likely..

a stock alternator for most cars can easily handle up to and including 600wRMS

*edit* yeah, i dont use a cap...

[SoySauceCb7]

Ok you can go ahead and think whatever newbie stuff you want. Ive been in the car audio business for over 4 years, i own my own car audio business and i am a third year electrical engineering student at the university of connecticut . please spare your breath and dont try to argue with me take my advise or leave it. what do i care

[sonikaccord]

But do you have a reason why caps are needed?
Im always open to learn new things.

[uslspct]

There's definetely tons of talk out there for and against the use of caps. There's pro's and engineers on both sides of the argument. If you read the technical reason for how they work and what they are suppose to do, it makes since. For people wanting the absolute perfect system or most SPL maybe they need them. I haven't seen any hard proof though. Having a .2 dip in voltage doesn't bother me or my amps though, and seeing as most of us are poor, I'd rather buy something else for my car. I think it's just another thing marketed in the audio marketplace for people to buy. You know that 90% of the people who buy them do so because someone told them this or that, without even reading up on what they do.